Conveyer roll



oct. 1s, 1932.-

A.`P. STRONG CONVEYER ROLL Filed Dec. 29, v1924l Patented Oct. 18, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR P. STRONG, OF MISHAWAKA, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO DODGE MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE CONVEYER ROLL Application led December 29, 1924. Serial No. 758,497.

This invention relates to belt conveyer rolls and more particularly to the class of installations known as troughing supports in which belt supporting rolls or idlers are arranged end to end on relatively inclined axes. The invention aims to provide an improved troughing support and improved idler therefor, having in view the mounting of the rolls or idlers in sufficiently close juxtaposition to prevent sagging of the conveyer belt between adjacent roll ends 'and in such manner as to permit the individual rolls to be conveniently removed; also having in view the provision of a construction which can be conveniently lubricated.

The invention may be understood by reference to one illustrative embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a troughing support embodying the invention, the Same having in this instance three of the improved rolls or idlers, one of which is shown in longitudinal section;

Fig. 2 is a detail View partly in section substantially on line 2 2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the rolls and its supporting means.

It is a desideratum in belt conveyer construction to have the individual rolls readily accessible for lubrication, inspection and repair, because anything retarding or stopping rotation of a single roll will cause very serious and rapid wear of a well loaded belt, well as of the rim of the roll. According to the invention, the conveyer is so constructed and arranged that each individual roll is secured against any movement except rotation when in position, and yet is quickly and easily removable by the inspector, who is thus enabled to maintain the conveyer belt in serviceable condition.

It is to be understood that the illustrative form shown in the drawing is simply a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

' that in the following explanation of that specific form, the described details of structure and organization are merely exemplary.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, there is shown a decking 5 on which are secured end brackets` 6 and intermediate brackets 7, said brackets being designed to support the conveyer rolls over which the conveyer belt 8 travels.

Each conveyer roll comprises generally the roll body proper, a stationary shaft providing an axle for the roll body and removably supported by the brackets, and bearings interposed between the roll and the axle. To permit ready dismounting of each roll, angle arms l0 are secured on 'the opposite extremities of the axle 11, each angle arm having a portion 10a extending at right angles to the axle and interlocking with a complementary bracket seat 12. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3,' each seat 12 opens upwardly, so that by merely lifting any roll, it is removed from its support without employing tools or specially manipulating any parts. Preferably the angle arm portions 10a are dovetailed in transverse section, as shown in Fig. 2, to lit similarly shaped seats, thus preventing any movement of the roll, other than rotation, during operation.

T o give the desired dish to the conveyer belt, the outer rolls turn on axes inclined with respect to the horizontal axis of the central roll or rolls; hence the seats for the angle arms of each outer roll may be inclined accordingly, as will be understood from Fig. 1. Where but three rolls form a conveyer unit, as shown, each intermediate bracket 7 will have formed at the upper end two seats 12, one of which extends vertically to receive the angle arm ofthe central roll, and the other of which extends at an acute angle to receive the inner arm of an outer roll; the parts being so constructed and arranged that when the rolls are in place, their adjacent ends will almost touch (Fig. l), so that the belt is subjected to no appreciable strain or wear in bridging the gap between them, while instant removal of any roll of a conveyer system is permitted without interference from any other roll.

Eachconveyer roll shown is made from an outer shell 13, a pair of end members 14 closing the ends of the shell and providing housings for the bearings 15, and a tubular member 16 extending between and spacing apart the two end members and providing therewith a lubricant chamber open at opposite ends to the bearings. As disclosed in co-pending applications, the shell 13 may bc a section cut from commercial seamless steel boiler tubing, which has 'several advantages including cheapness, strength, durability and adaptability for the purpose; such a section may be fitted over pressed steel end members 14 with the tube 16 (also a seamless boiler tube) interposed, and the parts then secured against separation.

Each end member 14 is dished as shown and has a hub 17 for housing one of the bearings, said hub flanged as at 18 to provide an abutment for the end of tube 16, which by the process of manufacture is compressed betweentlie hubs. As shown, the hub flange 18 may have a bead or shoulder 19 to aid in the assembling of the tube. Fitted within each hub is a bearing comprising tapered bearing rollers 15 and cup and cone bearing rings. The bearings are positioned in relation to theroll and axle by co-action of the outer bearing rings or cup rings with the shouldered portions 18 of the bearing engaging hubs of the rolls, and by co-action of the axle-housing portions of the angle arms 10 with the inner bearin rings or cone rings.

For adequate and ependable lubrication of the bearings, the inner tube 16 provides a grease chamber 20 of relatively large capacity, being compressed with suicient force by the hubs of the end members to be sealed at both ends. Grease may be forced into chamber 20 through a pipe 21 secured to ,one of the angle arms and preferably extending at right angles thereto (Fig. 2), and connected by passageways 22, 23 and 24: through the angle "arm and axle with the grease chamber. At the outer end of pipe 21, a nipple 25 -is provided for attachment of a grease force feeder (not shown). To prevent escape of grease forced into the bearings b the described means, grease seals 26 (Fig. 1g', are provided at opposite ends of the rolls, being interposed between each angle arm and the adjacent bearing and held securely-in place by the anglevarm. It will be observed that each roll is individually lubricated and that with its lubricating system it is removable as a unit for inspection, repair or replacement.

It will be observed that the illustrative structure permits a comparatively close spacing of the rolls, while at the same time the rolls are individually removable. The inwardly projecting arms 10a on the axle ends, detachably engaglng the supporting brackets 7 in a manner to permit the individual removability of the rolls, permit the use of comparatlvely narrow supporting brackets arranged Wholly in the gaps or spaces between the rolls and below the roll axes. The brackets are shown close to but clear of the roll ends, and the bracket engaging arms on adjacent axle ends are close to but suliiciently clear of one another to permit the lifting of the rolls to detach them from their brackets. As the interengaging surfaces of the brackets and depending arms on the axle ends are clear.

of the roll ends and at ri ht angles to the respective roll axes, the in ividual rolls can be removed entirely by movement at right angles to their axes, i. e. by lifting the roll until its axle end pieces are clear of the brackets and moving it sidewise to withdraw it from the other rolls. In other words no tilting of the rolls is required t0 clear the supporting-brackets. The said dependin arms on the axle ends are in this instance em odied in angle pieces or axle end attachments having axle housing portions or collars cooperating with the roll bearings to position the bearings in relation to the axle, said angle pieces being held in position by the brackets and bearing against the bearing cone rings through the inter osed sealing rings. The individual roll lu ricating equipment provides for easy introduction of grease while the rolls are in operation.

Obviously the present invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment thereof herein shown and described. Moreover, it is not indispensable that all the features of the invention be used conjointly, since they may be employed advantageously in various combinations and sub-combinations as defined 1n the claims.

1. In the class of structures described, conveyer rolls arranged end to end on relatively inclined axes, one roll at least having an axle and antifriction bearings i mounted on the axle and on which the roll revolves, the said bearings heilig set inwardly from the roll ends and the axle ends belng outside said bearings and provided adjacent the roll ends with downwardly projectlng arms to engage socketed supports, the support-engaging portions of said arms being not far beyond the roll ends between the axle and thel bottom of the roll, and there being no projection of the axle or of the said arms beyond the supportenga ing portions, said one r'oll being removable y mere lifting to disengage said arms from said supports.

2'. Conve er rolls for use in the class of structures escribed, arranged end to e'nd on relatively inclined axes, each having an axle and antifriction bearings mounted on the axle and on' which the roll revolves, recessed supports, the said bearings being set inwardly from the roll ends and the axle ends being outside said bearings and provided adjacent the roll ends with downwardly projecting arms to engage said supports, said arms being shaped for sliding at right angles to the axle into said supports and there being no projection of the axle or of said arms beyond the support-engaging portions thereof.

` on which they revolve, each of said axles provided at its adjacent ends with downwardly projecting arms detachably and slidably engaging said support, said support and axle arms being constructed and arranged so that the axle arms are disengageable from the support by lifting the rolls.

4. In combination, a plurality of spaced supports, each of said supports being provided with an upwardly opening socket, a roll having dished ends and hub portions, bearings mounted in said lhub portions, an axle extending through said bearings, end members secured to the ends of said axle, and provided with angularly disposed portions movable into and out of said sockets whereby said axle will be restrained against rotation, and said axle roll and end members may be lifted bodily from said supports.

5. In combination, a plurality of spaced supports provided with upwardly opening sockets, a. plurality of aligned rolls, bearings for said rolls arranged inwardly of the roll ends, and axles extending through said bearings, said axles being provided with end memb-ers secured thereto and having angularly extended portions fitting into said sockets whereby said axles are held against rotation and whereby each of said rolls with its supporting axles and end members may bc lifted bodily and independently of the other of said rolls from its supports.

6. In a structure of the class described, a pair of conveyer rolls arranged closely adjacent end to end on relatively inclined axes, and an interposed support, said rolls having axles and bearings thereon set inwardly from the roll ends and having their adjacentaxle ends equipped with angle pieces removably affixed on said support, said angle pieces arranged back to back and having axle holding portions entering the rolls.

7. In a structure of the class described, a pair of conveyer rolls arranged closely adjacent end to end on relatively inclined axes, and an interposed support, said rolls having axles and bearings thereon set inwardly from the roll ends and having their adjacent axle ends equipped with angle pieces removably affixed on said support, said angle pieces arranged baek to back and having axle holding portions entering the rolls, said angle pieces slidably fitted on said supports and engageable therewith and disengageable therefrom by movement at right angles to the respective axles carrying said angle pieces.

8. A structure of the class described comprising conveyer rolls arranged closely adjacent end to end on relatively inclined axes, Said rolls having axles and bearings thereon set inwardly from the roll ends, and sup-ports between which the rolls are individually re` movably mounted, the respective roll axles having downwardly projecting arms at their ends detachably lengaging said supports, there being clearance between the arms of adjacent axle ends and between the supports and roll ends whereby each individual roll can be lifted and disengaged from its supports by movement at right angles to its axis.

9. A structure of the class described comprising conveyer rolls arranged closely adjacent end to end on relatively inclined axes, said rolls having axles and antifriction bearings thereon set inwardly from the roll ends, and supporting standards arranged adjacent but clear of the roll ends and below the roll axes, and individual attachments on the axle ends partially within the rolls having downwardly extending parts detachably fitted to and supported by said standards outside the roll ends, there being clearance between adjacent axle end attachments to permit lifting individual rolls to disengage the attachments from said standards.

l0. A structure ofthe class described comprising conveyer rolls arranged closely adjacent end to end on relatively inclined axes, said rolls having axles and antifriction bearing units on which the rolls revolve set inwardly from the roll ends, and supporting standards between which the rolls are individually removably mounted, the respective axles having end pieces embodying axle housing portions within the rolls and standard engaging portions outside the rolls, lubricant introducing tubes affixed each to an axle end piece above the supporting standard, and conduits in the axles communicating with said tubes and arranged to deliver grease at the inner sides of the bearings.

1l. A structure of the class described comprising conveyer rolls arranged end to end.

on relatively inclined axes, said rolls having bearings on which they revolve and having individual axles, said axles being provided at their ends with downwardly projecting arms, and supports. adjacent the roll ends detachably and slidably engaged by said axle arms, any roll operatively positioned between two other rolls being removable unitarily with itsaxle and axle arms from that p osition merely by a lifting force supplied to said roll.

13. A structure of the class described comprising conveyer rolls arranged end to end axles and on relatively inclined axes, said rolls containing bearings on which they revolve and having individual axles on which the bearings are mounted, said axles provided with end pieces embodying portions enclosing the axle and downwardly projecting arms, said axle enclosing portions cooperating with the bearings to position them in relation to the axle, and supports detachably and slidably engaged by said arms thus suiiiciently holding the rolls in operative position, the interengagin portions of said supports and arms exten ing transversely of the roll axis and being constructed so that lifting of a roll and its arms as a unit in the plane of said axis disengages the roll from its supports.

14. InV a structure of the class described, conveyer rolls arranged end to end on relatively inclined axes having individual axles andbearings thereon, supports from which the rolls are removably supported by axle end attachments, said attachments comprising angle pieces providing depending arms and embodying axle housing portions cooperating with thebearings for positioning them in relation to the axle, said depending arms being operatively positioned on the said supports merely by interengaging relative movement of the arms and supports, therebeing clearance between attachments on adjacent axle ends and between the roll ends and adjacent faces of the supports so that each roll can be lifted to disengage its axle attachments from its supports.

15. A structure of the class described comprising conveyer rolls arranged closely adjacent end to end on relatively inclined axes, said rolls having axles and bearing units on which the rolls revolve, and supporting standards between the rolls on which the latter are individually removably and slidably mounted, the respective axles having end pieces embodying axle housing portions and downwardly projecting standard engaging arms, lubricant introducing tub'es affixed each to an axleend piece above the supporting standard, and conduits in the axles communieating with said tubes and arranged to deliver grease to the inner sides of the bearings.

16. A structure of the class described comprising conveyer rolls arranged end to end on relativel inclined axes, said rolls having axles and bearings thereon, the axle ends having downwardly extending arms, and socketed supports adjacent the roll ends and below the roll axes, said supports detachably engaged by said arms, permitting individual removability of the individual rolls.

17. A structure of the class described comprising conveyer rolls arranged end to ena on relativel inclined axes, said rolls having liearings thereon, each axle end having an individual downwardly extending arm, and supports detachably engaged by said arms, each said roll and pair of arms being slidably detachable as a unit from said supports.

18. A structure of the class described comprising conveyer rolls arranged end to end on relatively inclined axes, said rolls having axles and bearings thereon, and supports between which the rolls are mounted, each of the roll axles having'two end pieces embodying downwardly projecting arms detachably engageable with said supports in operative positlon by interlocking relative movement of the arms and supports, said end pieces embodying axle-housing portions cooperating with the bearings to position them in relation to the axle.

19. A structure of the class described comprising conveyer rolls arranged end to end on relatively inclined axes, said rolls having axles and bearings thereon, and supports between which the rolls are mounted, the roll axles having end arms detachably engageable with said supports in operative position by interlocking relative movement of said arms and supports, each roll and its arms being removable as a unit from the structure by a lifting force exerted on the roll toward the conveyer.

20. A structure of the class described comprising conveyer rolls -arranged end to end on relatively inclined axes, said rolls having axles and bearings thereon, and supports between which the rolls are mounted, the roll axles having rigid end arms detachably engaging said supports providing individual removability of each roll, axle, and arms as a unit.

2l. In conveyer belt supporting apparatus, conveyer rolls having axles arranged end to end and relatively inclined, axle supporting arms connected with the axle ends, rigid stationary supports constructed vto be interlockingly engaged by said arms for holding the rolls in operative position, each roll, its axle and arms being removable as a unit without disturbin .the other rolls by sliding motion away rom its supports.

22. In conveyer belt supporting apparatus, conveyer rolls having axles arranged end to end and relatively inclined, axle supporting arms connected with the axle ends, rigid stationary supports constructed to be interlockingly and slidably engaged by said arms for holding the rolls in operative position, each roll, its axle and arms being removable as a unit without disturbing the other rolls by sliding motion away from its supports.

23. In conveyer belt supporting apparatus, conveyer rolls having axles arranged end to end and relatively inclined, axle supporting arms connected with the axle ends, rigid stationary supports constructed to be interlockingly engaged by said arms for holding the rolls in operative position, each roll, its

axle and arms being removable as a unit with out disturbing the other rolls by sliding motion away veyer belt.

24. In conveyer belt supporting apparatus, conveyer rolls having axles arranged end to end and relatively inclined, axle support-ing arms connected with the axle ends, rigid stationary supports constructed to be interlockingly engaged by said arms for holding the rolls in operative position, each roll, its axle and arms being removable as a unit Without disturbing the other rolls by sliding motion away fromits supports, each such unit being interchangeable with the others in the same said alignment.

25. In conveyer belt supporting apparatus, conveyer'rolls arranged end to end having relatively inclined axles, means for holding each axle against movement except rotation and removable from the apparatus with the roll as a unit Without disturbing the other rolls, and a common supporting structure for the aligned rolls constructed Ito be engaged by a sliding movement of said means to thus hold each unit in its operative position against movement except the reverse sliding movement which disengages the unit.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ARTHUR P. STRONG.

from its supports toward the con- 

